Mobiles phones harm DNA

Dec 20 2004 - 05:33 PM ET | In The News

A new study out says that radiation from mobile phones harms DNA. There are many studies on both sides of the issue, but as the industry continues to grow the findings (especially negative findings) are becoming more and more newsworthy: bq. The research project, which took four years and which was coordinated by the German research group Verum, studied the effect of radiation on human and animal cells in a laboratory.

After being exposed to electromagnetic fields that are typical for mobile phones, the cells showed a significant increase in single and double-strand DNA breaks. The damage could not always be repaired by the cell. DNA carries the genetic material of an organism and its different cells.

"There was remaining damage for future generation of cells," said project leader Franz Adlkofer. However, the article aslo states that the study, "Did not prove that mobile phones are a risk to health but concluded that more research is needed to see if effects can also be found outside a lab." Here are some other studies on the health effects of mobile phonesthat have made the news: * 3G causes headaches * Cellphones make men smarter * Mobile phones increase tumor risk * Mobile phones could hurt sperm count * Mobile phones may damage blood cells

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